Vayando: ditch the guidebook, leave the beaten path and do as the locals do

Travelling isn’t always about following classic guidebook itineraries. It’s also about passing through other people’s realities, discovering new cultures and ways of life, cuisines, fascinating traditions and languages. In the words of Henry Miller:

“One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”.

Bringing tourists and locals together
The travel platform Vayando allows travellers to take part in immersive cultural experiences. By connecting the curious with local micro entrepreneurs in emerging economies, it gives travellers the chance to learn about different ways of life from the talented entrepreneurs themselves.

“If you’ve travelled to emerging countries, you know it can be difficult to confidently step off the plane or bus and connect directly with people not in the traditional travel guide. Vayando is a tool to change that. We are live in Rwanda and Costa Rica, with a goal of marketing tens of thousands of entrepreneurs in over 100 countries.” (Scott Wilhelm, co-founder of Vayando)

Improving livelihoods
For example, in the quiet and beautiful fishing city of Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda you can spend the day with local farmers. After milking cows in the early morning, you accompany the animals on their swim from one island to another for grazing. Because, yes, cows can swim!
Normally the cow farmers earn a meagre 15,000 Rwandan Francs ($20) a month. Yet if a mere three travellers book a cow swimming experience, they collect up to three times their monthly salary without even altering their daily routine.
Vayando is the ethical travellers’ new best friend, connecting them directly with talented micro entrepreneurs to learn about livelihoods while supporting local development.